Settle For Nothing

Album: Rage Against The Machine (1992)
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Songfacts®:

  • This song was written in the first person from the point of view of a frustrated youth from the slums. His life is so brutal, he prefers being in jail.

    It's part of the first (self-titled) Rage Against The Machine album and was often part of their setlists in their early years.
  • The song's message is spelled out at the end when lead singer Zack de la Rocha screams:

    If we don't take action now
    We settle for nothing later
    We'll settle for nothing now
    And we'll settle for nothing later


    "Never settle" was a credo for the band. When they entered the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2023, Tom Morello told fans: "Dream big and don't settle." (Morello was the only member of the group to attend; by this time they were essentially broken up.)

Comments: 5

  • Henry from Marion, MtGotta be one of Rage's heaviest, angriest songs but that is their forte. AWESOME!!!
  • Andrea from Redondo Beach , CaI love this song. I feel it talks about being part of a lower class. How you are caught in the middle. You need money to do anything. He was nothing until he made a name for himself. "I gotta 9, a sign, a set and now I gotta name."
  • Andrea from Redondo Beach , CaAlso, a favorite RAGE quote, "If ingnorance is bliss, then knock the smile off my face." Hell yeah. I love RAGE with a passion.
  • Zackattack from Sacramento, Cai Got the idea it might have something to do with his Dad also
  • Jarred from Narre Warren, Victoria, AustraliaWhat can I say... Awesome song. Love the rap/talking bit at the start, the bass directly after it is soooo good. Probably my favorite RATM song ever...
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